CMU volleyball coach abruptly resigns after 2024 season

MOUNT PLEASANT – After nine successful seasons leading the Central Michigan volleyball program, head coach Mike Gawlik announced Sunday that he is resigning from his position to pursue other professional opportunities. Assistant coach Stef Jankiewicz was appointed interim head volleyball coach.

Over the years, Gawlik put the program on solid footing and oversaw a steady rebuild that has made the Chippewas a perennial contender in the Mid-American Conference. During his nine-year tenure, Gawlik guided Central Michigan to three 20-win seasons, two NIVC postseason tournaments, four MAC Tournament appearances and a 137-123 overall record.

The recently completed 2024 season was Gawlik’s best yet; The Chippewas put together the school’s most successful campaign since 1983, finishing second in the MAC with a 24-7 overall mark and a 15-3 league record. CMU earned the No. 2 seed, advancing to the 2024 MAC Tournament. In addition, Allie Korba became the first setter in school history to earn MAC Setter of the Year honors, while five players earned seven All-MAC postseason honors. Korba was awarded First-Team All-MAC honors along with outside hitter Natalia Rejment, middle blockers Abby Olin and Grace Thomas earned Second-Team All-MAC honors, and Thomas and libero Hannah Langton were named to the MAC All-Freshman Team.

“I am incredibly proud of the program and what we have accomplished over the last nine seasons,” Gawlik said. “Thank you to all the amazing student-athletes, their families, fans and alumni for their consistent support. Mount Pleasant has been a wonderful community for me and my family. “I’m sad to be leaving, but I know the program is in a healthy place going forward.”

Gawlik was named MAC Coach of the Year in 2019 for leading the Chippewas to a 21-9 finish, a share of the MAC West title and an appearance in the National Invitational Volleyball Championship. The division crown was CMU’s first victory since 2003. The NIVC berth marked CMU’s first postseason appearance since 2011, and the 21 wins were the most for the program since 2007. In 2022, the Chippewas compiled a 20-12 overall record, 12-6 league record. , finished second in the West and earned another postseason berth in the NIVC.

Since Gawlik’s hiring before the 2016 season, the Central Michigan volleyball program has produced 24 All-MAC selections and 51 Academic All-MAC selections, including six varsity team honorees. He coached two CSC Academic All-District honorees and led five teams and three consecutive teams to earn the AVCA Award, which requires a team GPA above 3.50 for a year.

“We have been fortunate to have Coach Gawlik lead our volleyball program for the past nine years,” said Zyzelewski Family Vice President/Athletic Director Amy Folan. “He has built a successful program that we are proud of here at Central Michigan. Mike is a great leader and has also done a great job in the Mount Pleasant community and beyond. This past season was an unforgettable year. We are sad to see Coach Gawlik and his family go, but we wish them the best .”

Gawlik comes to CMU after serving 11 seasons as an assistant coach at Michigan State under George, helping the Spartans to nine NCAA Tournaments, including three trips to the Sweet 16. In 2010, Gawlik was named to the American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA) “Thirty Under 30” list, which annually honors promising coaches under the age of 30. He was a top-10 recruiting class in 2008, 2013 and 2014 and served as the liaison between the AVCA and assistant coaches throughout the Big Ten Conference.

A four-year starter at Pacific at shortstop and libero, Gawlik graduated in 2005 as the program record holder in games played (382) and digs (849). He was a two-year captain, was an All-Mountain Pacific Sports Federation selection, was named a Strength and Conditioning All-American in 2005, and earned the Student of the Year Award for sports science in 2005. He earned a master’s degree in athletic administration from MSU in 2011. He and his wife, Katie, have a 6-year-old daughter named Wynn.

A national search to find Gawlik’s successor will begin immediately.

“We are committed to the continued success of our volleyball program,” Folan said. “A national search is underway to find an extraordinary leader to guide us into the future. “We are confident our community will rally behind the next chapter in Chippewa volleyball.”

First Publication Date: November 25, 2024, 18:10 EST

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